Cost of Living in Fords, NJ
Population 13,052 · New Jersey · Data vintage 2023
(100 = US avg)
Under 25,000 residents gives Fords a small-town character that shows up in every data point below — from the commute patterns to the rental inventory. A typical home runs $414,000.
Fords sits roughly 11 miles southwest of Elizabeth — close enough that regional housing and labor patterns are shaped largely by the larger market. Housing prices track closely with Elizabeth's $394,000 median.
Cost Overview
Scale: 100 = US national average. Green < 90, Red > 110.
About the Cost of Living in Fords
The median home value in Fords is $414,100 — 36% above the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,976/month, 50% higher than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $116,250/year is 56% higher than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 3.7%, below the national average of 4.8%. New Jersey's top state income tax rate is 10.8% and the combined sales tax is 6.6%. The climate averages highs of 63.8°F and lows of 47.1°F, with about 31.5" of annual snowfall. Overall, Fords has a cost of living index of 142 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 42% more expensive.
🏠 Housing
HUD Fair Market Rents by Bedroom
💰 Estimated Monthly Budget
Estimates based on median data and national averages. Actual costs vary.
🛒 Food & Groceries
National BLS average prices (2023). Local prices may vary.
🚗 Transportation
Commute Mode
⚡ Utilities
📋 Taxes
💼 Income & Employment
🎓 Education
👥 Demographics
🌤 Climate
NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °F | 40 | 43 | 51 | 63 | 73 | 82 | 87 | 85 | 78 | 66 | 55 | 45 |
| Low °F | 26 | 27 | 34 | 44 | 54 | 64 | 69 | 68 | 61 | 49 | 39 | 31 |
| Precip" | 3.42 | 2.98 | 4.13 | 3.87 | 3.97 | 4.34 | 4.66 | 4.15 | 3.82 | 3.79 | 3.33 | 4.14 |
| Snow" | 9.1 | 10.1 | 5.6 | 0.5 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.2 | 0.6 | 5.4 |
💨 Air Quality
EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cost of living in Fords, NJ?
Fords has a cost index of 142 (100 = national average). It is 42% above the national average.
What is average rent in Fords, NJ?
The median gross rent in Fords is $1,976 per month based on 2023 Census data.
What is the average home price in Fords?
The median home value in Fords is $414,100 according to Zillow and Census data.
What is the median income in Fords?
The median household income in Fords is $116,250 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).
What is the sales tax in Fords, NJ?
The combined state and local sales tax rate in Fords is 6.6%. The New Jersey state income tax top rate is 10.8%.
Is Fords, NJ affordable?
Fords is above average in cost of living, with an index of 142 — about 42% higher than the national average.
What is the weather like in Fords?
Fords has average high temperatures of 63.8°F and average lows of 47.1°F. Annual precipitation is 46.6". Average annual snowfall is 31.5". Data from NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals.
Fords at a Glance
- Population
- 13,052
- Median Income
- $116,250
- Home Value
- $414,100
- Median Rent
- $1,976/mo
- Unemployment
- 3.7%
- Avg High Temp
- 63.8°F
- Sales Tax
- 6.6%
Nearby Cities
Explore county-level cost of living data
New Jersey Rankings
Similar Cost Cities
Cities in other states with comparable housing costs